The next morning didn't feel like a new beginning.
If anything… it felt heavier.
Aiden sat by the window, his chin resting lightly on his hand as sunlight spilled across his desk.
The warmth didn't reach him.
Not really.
"Stay."
The word echoed in his mind again.
Why did he say that?
Why did he give Kael another chance… after everything?
"Aiden."
His thoughts broke.
He looked up—
And his breath caught.
"Wow," the boy in front of him smiled, tilting his head slightly. "That's how you greet me after disappearing?"
"…Ryan?"
🔹 Ryan Blake
Confidence radiated from him.
Messy dark hair, sharp eyes, and that effortless smile that made people trust him too quickly.
Too easily.
Ryan leaned against Aiden's desk casually, like he belonged there.
"Missed me?" he asked.
Aiden looked away, trying to steady himself.
"I've been busy."
"With what?" Ryan's smile widened.
A pause.
"Or should I say… with who?"
Aiden's fingers tightened around his pen.
"…don't."
Ryan chuckled softly.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight."
But the look in his eyes said otherwise.
"I heard," Ryan continued, lowering his voice slightly, "he's back."
Silence.
Aiden didn't respond.
Because he didn't need to.
Ryan's smile faded just a little.
"…and you let him come back?"
That question hit somewhere deeper than expected.
Before Aiden could answer—
The classroom door slid open.
And everything shifted.
Kael.
He stood there quietly.
But his presence alone changed the atmosphere.
His eyes scanned the room—
And stopped.
On Ryan.
"…who is he?"
The question came out low.
Controlled.
But there was something under it.
Something sharp.
Aiden stood up slowly.
"Kael—"
"I was about to ask the same thing."
Ryan straightened, stepping closer—just enough.
Not aggressive.
But intentional.
"I'm Ryan," he said smoothly, extending his hand.
"Aiden's close friend."
That small pause.
That slight emphasis.
It wasn't a mistake.
Kael didn't take his hand.
Didn't even look at it.
Instead—
He looked at Aiden.
Waiting.
Aiden felt his chest tighten.
"…he's—"
But the words got stuck.
Because suddenly…
He didn't know how to define anything anymore.
Ryan noticed.
Of course he did.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips as he casually placed his arm around Aiden's shoulder.
"Don't worry," he said lightly. "You don't have to explain everything."
That was enough.
Kael's expression darkened.
"Move your hand."
The air went still.
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"…or?"
One word.
One challenge.
Aiden stepped back immediately, pushing Ryan's arm away.
"Stop."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
"I'm not doing this again," Aiden continued, his gaze moving between them. "Not another fight."
Ryan lifted his hands slightly.
"Hey, I'm calm."
But his eyes were still locked on Kael.
Kael didn't move.
Didn't react.
He just asked—
"…you didn't tell me about him."
Aiden frowned.
"You didn't give me the chance."
That answer landed harder than expected.
Ryan watched silently.
Observing everything.
Understanding more than he should.
"…so this is him," he muttered under his breath.
"What?" Aiden asked.
Ryan smiled again.
"Nothing."
But inside…
He had already made a decision.
The bell rang.
Students started leaving.
Noise filled the room.
But between them—
Silence remained.
Kael finally spoke again.
Low.
Careful.
"…are you going with him?"
Aiden froze.
Ryan didn't say anything this time.
But his presence—
It was enough.
Kael's eyes didn't leave Aiden.
Not even for a second.
Waiting.
Ryan leaned slightly closer.
Not touching.
But close enough.
Also waiting.
And suddenly…
Aiden felt trapped between past and present.
One who left.
One who stayed.
His heart beat faster.
His thoughts blurred.
"…I—"
The answer sat on his lips.
But it didn't come out.
Because no matter what he chose…
Something would break.
[To be continued…]